Newcastle 4-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as Barnes brace takes Magpies fourth

90min

·13. April 2025

Newcastle 4-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as Barnes brace takes Magpies fourth

Newcastle United roared back into the Premier League's top four after crushing Manchester United 4-1 at St James' Park.

The Magpies preparation for the fixture had been disrupted by Eddie Howe's hospitalisation on Friday, but his Carabao Cup winners proved they have taken everything he's taught them on board with a swashbuckling display of attacking football.

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Sandro Tonali opened the scoring midway through the first half, rifling home a tremendous volley after a delicious Alexander Isak lobbed ball over the top, but the teams went in level at half-time after Alejandro Garnacho bagged just his second goal in his last 29 matches across all competitions.

But Garnacho's precise finish counted for nothing as Ruben Amorim's side fell apart in the second half.

Harvey Barnes restored the lead from Jacob Murphy's cutback just four minutes into the second 45 before the former Leicester City winger pounced on a Noussair Mazraoui slip to race clear and fire past Altay Bayindir, who replaced the dropped Andre Onana in goal.

Those were Barnes' seventh and eighth Premier League goals of the season, with the England international fully embracing his chance to play more regularly because of Anthony Gordon's recent hip injury.

Things got worse for United when Bayindir's dreadful clearance was headed into Bruno Guimaraes' path by Joelinton, and the revered central midfielder slid the ball home with aplomb to send the home faithful into delirium.

Newcastle's victory – their first double over United in 93 years – sends them fourth, back above Manchester City in the Premier League table, while United drop one place to 14th after seeing their goal difference slip to -6.